VIEWS ON KIA SORENTO AS TOW CAR

[trevgib]

Hi, Im looking at the Kia Sorento as a tow car for my Compass Omega 525. Has anyone any advice or tips on this or any other car which will pull this van. Need to have one in 4 weeks as new van arrives then.

Thanks Trev

 

[Neal_5041160]

Trev,

We have an '08 2.5 diesel Sorento towing a Challenger 560. It makes short work of this on any roads, giving around 34-5 mpg solo (not long runs) and 27-8 towing (mainly good roads).

Would thoroughly recommend one, for price, for spec, for build, for looks. If you are looking at new-ish, get a post-facelift model as the engine is much improved.

Neal

 

[PhilJoanne-SwiftCorniche173]

Trev,

We have an '08 2.5 diesel Sorento towing a Challenger 560. It makes short work of this on any roads, giving around 34-5 mpg solo (not long runs) and 27-8 towing (mainly good roads).

Would thoroughly recommend one, for price, for spec, for build, for looks. If you are looking at new-ish, get a post-facelift model as the engine is much improved.

Neal

We have an 05 sorento XSE , great car but the low profile tyres on our model make for a bumpy ride on poorly maintained roads, other than that as Neal says it is more than up for the job of towing, has the looks, price and an array of gadgets make it a keen choice

Phil

 

[trevgib]

Neal,Phil,

Thanks for the adice,cant afford a new model but will now be looking for an 05 or 06.

Many thanks

Trev

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Trev

Had my 05 from new, brilliant all rounder. Just keep a light throttle to get the best mpg though.

Have a look at "uksorento.com". We have 1700 members all with Sories and most tow. One of our mods runs a tuning shop for loads of Sorie goodies.

The 05/06 models all come with self levelling rear suspension and a hefty 112kgs nose weight allowance. Stick to diesel and go for the xs or xt trim with leather and electric drivers seat.

Good luck.

Cheers

Alan

 

[nffcdave_374234697]

hi trev

weve got an 05 xe diesel.as the others have said,its a very good towcar.fuel wise we get around 18mpg towing 1500kg{ouch}and on a good run 30mpg solo.

as alan has said,try uksorento.com for any advice.some 05 seemed to suffer with transfer box problems so tread carefully

cheers

dave

 

[trevgib]

Thanks everyone for your help still looking will let you know how it goes

Thanks

Trev

 

[Del_374232870]

Very capable tow cars, which achieved tow car of the year on several ocasions. With the drop in 2nd hand values of 4x4's worth having a look at the competition as well. Some good buys on Shoguns and Grand Cherokees out there at present, Grand cherokee giving comparable fuel consumption with more grunt. even the 3.0 CRD diesel Grand Cherokee has dropped dramatically V6 over 500kn torque and 215hp 30 -34 on a run and 19 - 23 mpg towing

 

[trevgib]

Now im getting even more confused!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but thanks all the same

 

[mostavern]

Trev,

don't know which part of the country your in but try looking at ken jervis kia in stoke, i have just purchased a 56 plated xs with 12 thousand miles on for 14k i found the further north i went the cheaper they got ! if you can go for a xs model not towed with it yet but well chuffed with the sorento so far !

 

[trevgib]

Cheers, Im from mcr, was looking there on the web plenty of people have mentioned it. Will give it a go.

Thanks

Trev

 

[Auvergne]

Can Dave the Rave tell me what a transfer box is please, and indeed what the problem is with it?

We've just received a letter today recalling our 05 Kia and would like to know a bit of background.

Thanks.

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Valerie

I have an 05 Sorie from new with 60k on the clock. Touch wood I have had no trouble yet but the letter you have is a worry.

On the XS & XT models the transfer box automatically distributes power between the rear and front wheels. The first sign of problems is juddering. A few people have experienced this and contrary to what I told Euro last week this problem seems to be emerging as something more important than originally thought.

I have not received a recall letter. In fact my warranty ran out on the 5th July 2008.

What does this letter say?

Have a look at "uksorento.com". Robbo's my signature. There's a thread on transfer boxes under "technical".

Cheers

Alan

 

[trevgib]

Hi, Can I just say thankyou to you all for your imput and advice. I have just bought a Kia Sorento and wouldn't have done it without your help.

THANKS

Trev

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Val,

No one else on the Sorento forum has received a letter from Kia, nor does my dealer have any knowledge.

Would you be willing to let me know exactly what the letter said please?

Cheers

Alan

 

[Auvergne]

Hi Alan,

"Reference: Vehicle Recall - Kia Sorento

As part of Kia continuous quality improvement programme, Kia UK has identified a safety related problem concerning a number of Sorento vehicles. Our records show that your vehicle falls within the specified chassis range of the affected vehicles and therefore needs to have remedial work carried out by a Kia Dealer. In order to rectify the issue please contact your local Westdrive dealership as soon as possible.

We will arrange a convenient time to replace the injector bolt clamp bolts. The repair should take approximately 30 minutes and will be carried out free of charge.

Pleae accept our apologies for any inconvenience this important recall may cause you and thank you for your co-operation."

I'm unsure whether this has anything to do with it but our car let us down three times shortly after we bought it and had to be towed in each time. Apparently, the first time it had to have a new injector but this was carried out under warranty. Then exactly the same thing happened two further times - driving along and literally slurred to a halt. That time they maintained it was something else, but I can't remember what it was. Anyway, seems to have been ok for a few months now - not that we're using it unless towing the van because the diesel is so expensive!!!

Ours is an 05 and we paid about

 

[Auvergne]

Hi Alan,

"Reference: Vehicle Recall - Kia Sorento

As part of Kia continuous quality improvement programme, Kia UK has identified a safety related problem concerning a number of Sorento vehicles. Our records show that your vehicle falls within the specified chassis range of the affected vehicles and therefore needs to have remedial work carried out by a Kia Dealer. In order to rectify the issue please contact your local Westdrive dealership as soon as possible.

We will arrange a convenient time to replace the injector bolt clamp bolts. The repair should take approximately 30 minutes and will be carried out free of charge.

Pleae accept our apologies for any inconvenience this important recall may cause you and thank you for your co-operation."

I'm unsure whether this has anything to do with it but our car let us down three times shortly after we bought it and had to be towed in each time. Apparently, the first time it had to have a new injector but this was carried out under warranty. Then exactly the same thing happened two further times - driving along and literally slurred to a halt. That time they maintained it was something else, but I can't remember what it was. Anyway, seems to have been ok for a few months now - not that we're using it unless towing the van because the diesel is so expensive!!!

Ours is an 05 and we paid about

 

[Auvergne]

Hi Alan,

"Reference: Vehicle Recall - Kia Sorento

As part of Kia continuous quality improvement programme, Kia UK has identified a safety related problem concerning a number of Sorento vehicles. Our records show that your vehicle falls within the specified chassis range of the affected vehicles and therefore needs to have remedial work carried out by a Kia Dealer. In order to rectify the issue please contact your local Westdrive dealership as soon as possible.

We will arrange a convenient time to replace the injector bolt clamp bolts. The repair should take approximately 30 minutes and will be carried out free of charge.

Pleae accept our apologies for any inconvenience this important recall may cause you and thank you for your co-operation."

I'm unsure whether this has anything to do with it but our car let us down three times shortly after we bought it and had to be towed in each time. Apparently, the first time it had to have a new injector but this was carried out under warranty. Then exactly the same thing happened two further times - driving along and literally slurred to a halt. That time they maintained it was something else, but I can't remember what it was. Anyway, seems to have been ok for a few months now - not that we're using it unless towing the van because the diesel is so expensive!!!

Ours is an 05 and we paid about

 

[otherclive]

In the UK Kia Forums there is a copy of Kia UKs Technical Note relating to the investgation into some transfer box problems. Also there is a feeling that if problems do occur out of warranty then Kia dealers are quoting between

 

[Auvergne]

After driving all the way to Romford today to have the said work done regarding the recall, I was told "there's no need for anything to be done now. The letter was sent to ALL Kia owners, then we found out it was affecting particular chassis numbers from August 06 onwards and yours isn't one of them". (could be something to do with it being an 05).

Give me strength.

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Val

I'd love to see that recall notice or just the wording. So far none of us on uk.sorento have had such a letter.

Cheers

Alan

 

[Dustydog]

Val,

BUMP

Cheers

Alan

 

[ChrisUK]

Just when I was thinking that the sorento is a good replacement for my Mazda I read thisthread. How big a problem is it?

 

[otherclive]

Whilst it is an issue it is not affecting all that many cars, and the Kia Tech Bulletin on the Kia UK forum site gives all the details of wahat cars, which year, wheel sizes etc. The repairs bya non Kia dealer using a specialist 4x4 gearbox company come in at around

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Clive

I've been a member of uksorento forum for two years and only recently have a small number of people had a problem. Mine is an 05 pre facelift. Val indicates the problem relates to post facelift. Now even I'm confused.

Other than Val I do not know of anyone whose Sorie has been "recalled".

I have today written to Kia on the subject as my 3 year warranty ran out on the 5th July 2008.

Mines on 60k miles and has been fantastic, fingers crossed now!!.

Chers

Alan